The beautiful spring-like days we have been have have inspired me to look at some photos I took at the end of last summer while on a walk along Lake Michigan.  We can only hope it will not be long before we get to see that beautiful sun again.

Pictures from the shore of Lake Michigan

Mommy and Daddy, or Mom and Dad or Whatever

I just received an email today from a friend informing  me that another friend had just had a baby girl.  This is always such an exciting time in the lives of the parents and grandparents, but it can also be very trying.  This particular gamily has 3 other little ones, all demanding attention.   I sent any email out (gift to some later) congratulating them and giving the parents a piece of advice that I have always lived by.
Your children will call you mommy and daddy for a few years, then it will be mom and dad.  And then there will be a few years where they will not call you anything for fear of saying something that might offend you.  As you come back into their "good graces"  they may even call you by your  first name.  When they finally become adults, they may be back to mom and dad again.
What ever they call you, you are always a parent, no matter how old they get. Just be there for them and love them through their lives.

I'm Back

Yes, I am back, as they say.  I feel as though I have neglected my little blog and I hope to get back to it.
I am sitting on my deck enjoying the end of August and tomorrow will be September already.  The Farmer's Markets in the Midwest will be heavy with tomatoes, the end of the beautiful corn and gorgeous fresh flowers in bouquets that are $5.00.  In the shops these would be at least $30.00, but because of very little overhead, you can now have a lovely addition to your table and a treat to add delight to your eye.  What a wonderful surprise.
In the winter we can cut evergreen branches and make them into a simple swag with a few red berries and red branches.  Tie them with a jaunty bow and you are set.
Enjoy the rest of the warm weather.  It will be in the 60's here by Sunday - Fall si upon us and it is my favorite time of the year.

I'm Published!!!

Yes, I am finally published in an online newsletter called FaithHopeandFiction.com.  If you would like to read my essay, just go to the website and scroll down tto the essay called "Traveling Alone" and read on.  It's a true story and I had a great time writing it!

The Sketchbook Project

This is the coolest project.  It is put on by the Art House Co-op in Brooklyn, NY.  You send them $20 and they send you a moleskin sketchbook.  You have different topics to choose from depending on what day you sign up for the project.  You fill up the book with things from your life and send it back to them by Jan. 15th, 2011. Then, the books are all catalogued and put into the Brooklyn Art Library.  You can log into your book anytime and everytime someone  signs your book out, you will be notified.  Sometime next year the books will travel and be on display all over the US and you will know again when someone checks out your book.  You can also add a short bio to keep in the book.  This is a great project for writers, artists, moms, dads and kids and anyone else who enjoys filling up books.  Here is the website: www.thesketchbookproject.com.  go ahead and have some fun!

Weekend

This was one of those weekends.  So much to do, but, we finished it all and had a great time. You know how it is - you are always parents, no matter how old your children are.  Well, it happened to be moving weekend for our oldest daughter, Lindsay.  She had a very busy week traveling for work and also planning an engagement party for her younger sister which would be held on Saturday.  Well, needless to say,  the packing had not progressed to the point where we could have just taken boxes out to the car and moving truck and whisked them to her new apartment.  I thought college moving was tedious, but I completely forgot how many more things you aquire when you are on your own for three years!  Her new apartment was on the second floor with no elevator. I had to keep reminding myself that this was the same daughter who diligently picked up her room every time I asked when she was younger!  (Not so sure about that.) I'll tell you that I did not have to exercise the rest of the weekend.  This morning I was reading an article in our hometown newspaper and guess what the new, cool exercise is? Running flights of stairs!  You can do it at home and it requires no equipment.  It tones your hips and thighs and helps you lose weight.  So I guess I should actually be thanking Lindsay for asking us to help her move.  Next time maybe her new place might even be on the third floor!